11 States Sue Obama Admin to Push Back Against Mandate to Allow Male Students in Girls’ Restrooms

(Reuters)— Officials from 11 U.S. states sued the Obama administration on Wednesday to overturn a directive telling schools to let transgender students use bathrooms matching their gender identity, decrying the policy as “a massive social experiment.”

Ramping up the simmering battles over contentious cultural issues in America, the states, led by Texas and most with Republican governors, accused the federal government of rewriting laws by “administrative fiat.”

“We are willing to fight this all the way to the Supreme Court if we have to,” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton told reporters in Austin.

Amid a national debate on transgender rights, President Barack Obama’s administration on May 13 told U.S. public schools that transgender students must be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice, upsetting Republicans and paving the way for fights over federal funding and legal authority.

The states’ lawsuit accused the federal government of overstepping its constitutional powers by taking actions that should be left to Congress or individual states. It also challenged the Obama administration’s interpretation of federal civil rights law with regard to sex and gender.

The lawsuit said the administration “conspired to turn workplace and educational settings across the country into laboratories for a massive social experiment, flouting the democratic process, and running roughshod over commonsense policies protecting children and basic privacy rights.”

Texas was joined by Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin, plus Arizona’s Department of Education and Maine’s governor.

Paxton said, “It’s about parents who are upset, grandparents who are upset. They want to see that the safety of their children is taken care of.”

Transgender rights advocates argued it is transgender people who need protection, particularly transgender women who are disproportionately the victims of assaults and would be forced to use men’s bathrooms if states succeed in forcing people to use bathrooms matching their sex at birth.

Likewise, transgender men, many of whom grow facial hair, would be required to use women’s bathrooms along with girls.

“This action puts students at risk for the sake of politics,” said Alison Gill of the Trans United Fund advocacy group supporting transgender rights.

Gill said the states’ lawsuit did not reflect the position of most school boards and administrators.

The administration’s letter to the schools said that to get federal funding under existing rules, schools must agree not to treat students or activities differently on the basis of sex. That includes not treating transgender students differently from others of the same gender identity, officials said.

‘UNPRECEDENTED ATTACK’

Paul Castillo, a lawyer with Lambda Legal, which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, said the lawsuit represented an “unprecedented attack against transgender people across the United States.”

“These states are demonstrating the great lengths they will go to in order to discriminate against transgender individuals,” Castillo said.

Nine of the 11 states that sued have Republican governors, including Maine’s Paul LePage. LePage broke with the Democratic attorney general, Janet Mills, who did not approve of the lawsuit, a spokesman for Mills said.

School districts from Texas and Arizona also joined the suit, which names the U.S. government and a host of federal agencies and officials as defendants.

North Carolina sued the federal government on the transgender bathroom issue this month, seeking to protect its state law passed in March that bans people from using public restrooms not corresponding to their sex assigned at birth.

Ever since the 1960s civil rights movement, the federal government has asserted its authority to force states to extend equal protection under the law for all. The administration sued North Carolina on May 9, stating that its transgender bathroom law violated the U.S. 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The 11 states’ lawsuit accused the administration of taking that argument too far and improperly, widening the scope of interpretation of civil rights law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. The administration’s interpretation is that the word “sex” extends protection to transgender people, but the issue has not been settled in the courts.

“I agree with the Obama administration that ‘sex’ includes ‘gender,’ and ‘gender’ includes ‘gender identity,'” said John Pagan of the University of Richmond’s School of Law in Virginia.

Peter Lake of Stetson University College of Law in Florida said the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a narrow view of the meaning of “sex” under the law, but in recent years lower courts have been more likely to defer to the Obama administration’s broader definition.

“My sense is a certain momentum is building for broader protection of (LGBT) rights, and we might be seeing a moment of federal civil rights law in long-term transition,” Lake said.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Become a Christian News Network Supporter...

Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. Striving to bring you the news without compromise and with Christ in focus, we press on despite recent changes in Facebook and Google's algorithms, which has limited our readership, and, as a result, has affected operational site revenue. If you have benefited from our news coverage, would you please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News Network supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth widely and freely published and distributed?May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!

Commenting Guidelines: We welcome readers to comment on stories, but we will not tolerate remarks containing profanity, vulgarity, violence, blasphemy, all caps or any discourteous behavior. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a respectful public environment where readers can engage in reasonable discussion about matters affecting our nation and our world.Read More →

The Last Trump

Well, it’s a start.
Nice to see 11 States pushing back against outrageous tyranny and standing up for reason, public safety and common sense. But last time I checked there were 50.
Shame on the rest of them for allowing his royal highness to rule by decree. Again.
God’s version of morality is no longer politically correct so NOW Obama will decide!!?
Sad to see that so many inadequately educated liberal extremist yuppies today don’t even recognize tyranny enough to know NOT to endorse it. 🙁

Tux

Absolutely – 11/50 is shameful on the part of those others. What I don’t understand is how the women that this edict is bound to affect seem to be completely silent on this issue. These fakers are going to be invading their bathrooms and changing areas.

Ronald Carter

Invading bathrooms? I don’t think so.

Tux

Well Ron, what would you call it when someone who is physically a man walks into a woman’s bathroom? Total invasion and nothing less.

Ronald Carter

That’s a bit of a loaded question, since they might be biologically a man but internally/mentally a woman. So just because you refuse to acknowledge that aspect of it doesn’t make it any less real. If someone who is biologically female but looks outwardly like a man wants to use the restroom, not only would I not care, but I probably wouldn’t even notice.

Tux

Internally I might think of myself as the Queen of England but that doesn’t make it true does it?

Ronald Carter

Ask yourself, is there a recognized psychological condition in which many people think themselves to be the Queen of England?

Now ask yourself if there is a recognized psychological condition in which many people believe themselves to be born of the incorrect gender.

I mean, we DO live in the Internet age, all the info you need is right there if you look it up.

The Last Trump

How true!
So be sure to google men invading ladies rooms.
It’s all the rage today! Go figure.

Ronald Carter

Well, well.
I stand corrected, Last Trump. You were right.
Here’s the story:
“American Family Association: We’re “Testing Target” By Sending Men Into the Ladies Room”.
Should have known, right? Manufacture your own problems by encouraging civil disobedience.
Classy!

The Last Trump

Guess you didn’t bother to scroll on down the ever growing list of links, huh? Just cherry picked that one in particular, huh?
Shocker.
Yes, the folks around here are sure getting to know you quite well.

Ronald Carter

Well actually, yes I DID, Last Trump. And how odd that every story I looked at either had nothing to do with transgenders, but some random straight man, or they referred to the civil disobedience of the AFA. You could always provide a link, you know, proof, but I have firsthand experience with you and your inability to do THAT.

The Last Trump

“nothing to do with transgenders” !?
Might wanna go back and have another look at his original post.
Attention to detail, “Ron”. Attention to detail.
(Coulda sworn we went over this already…)
No worries, argumentative one. We’re used to it by now!

Ronald Carter

Still nothing, Last Trump. You have nothing on transgenders. And you know it. Not hard to provide a link. Just like it’s not hard to provide Jesus’ own words on homosexuality, which you insisted up and down that you could do, and yet never did.
My goodness, Last Trump. The uninitiated might draw the conclusion that you are at best dishonest and at worst a liar.

The Last Trump

“on transgenders”…..
Hmmm, he still doesn’t see it…..
Attention to detail not so good with this one….
🙂
(Hey, and isn’t someone who’s dishonest actually a liar? Just sayin’ 🙂

Ronald Carter

Talking to your imaginary crowd of cheerleaders won’t help you with this one, Last Trump. Providing proof will.

Well, not to beat a dead horse, but no, you don’t “got it”. You could always provide a link to this plethora of stories about these evil transgenders stalking bathrooms and then this ends, but no, you’d rather continue with the smugness, right?

Huh? Citation?
!!
What are you, blind? AND lazy?
It’s right there! G..O..O..G..L..E.
New to the Internet, “Ron”?
When I hear about something I wasn’t aware of I research it myself.
Takes literally A SECOND to type into a search menu today! DUH!!
Ah, a different work ethic, my generation. Self reliant bunch.
You’re welcome for the handout, slothful one. Again.
Let me know if you have any other questions a simple google search will immediately satisfy. And I’ll be sure to point you in the right direction! 🙂

Ronald Carter

Wow, when push comes to shove, your claims seems to constantly be baseless and empty. Just like when you were sadly unable to provide Jesus’ words on homosexuality, yet continue to strut around proudly acting like you did.

The Last Trump

You STILL didn’t look that up either!?
Wow! “Ron”, “Ron”, “Ron”.
Disappointing. I thought you were more serious about research and learning. Not so much huh? Just like to argue about what you don’t understand, Muffin? Not surprising.
Got it. Thanks. 🙂

Ronald Carter

Gee, Last Trump, I think I made it PRETTY clear that I DID look it up, and here you are insisting I didn’t. You wouldn’t be playing your “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” game again, would you, where you do everything you can to detract attention from your own unsupportable and unprovable statements? That would be really PATHETIC, Last Trump, you know?

The Last Trump

Hey, if you don’t know what Jesus said then you don’t know.
No reason to lose your cool and unravel! I mean, really!
Just keep reading your Bible, Muffin. You’ll see it eventually.
You’re welcome little buddy! Happy studies “Ron”!

Ronald Carter

Oh but I DO know, Last Trump. Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. You know this, too. However you have claimed to have scriptural proof when you do not. I think we both know what that makes you, Last Trump. How telling is it that I know your Bible better than you do, little buddy?

The Last Trump

🙂
Hee, hee!
You don’t even know who Jesus IS!
Let alone what He had to say!
Better leave the Bible stuff to the Christians, Muffin.
You won’t look so foolish that way.
Or not. It is entertaining to say the least!
Keep posting! 😉

Ronald Carter

You lose, Last Trump.
A bit sad to have to spell it out to a Christian (supremacist) but read it and weep, this from Googling “what did Jesus say about homosexuality”:

“If you were to read all four gospels thoroughly in search of Jesus’ teachings on homosexuality it would be a futile endeavor. Not only would you come to the end of the gospels without finding anything attributed to Jesus on the subject, you wouldn’t even find a single reference to the issue in any context.”

Who looks foolish Last Trunp?
You do.
As it was, is, and ever shall be.

The Last Trump

Ah, the ignorance is strong with this one…
When does Jesus first appear in the Bible again, “Ron”?
And what DID He have to say about the laws recorded by Moses?
Take your time, confused one. We’ll wait.

Ronald Carter

The strong ignorance in this one is all yours, Last Turnip. This one’s signed, sealed and delivered, a complete slam dunk. Jesus was completely silent on the subject of homosexuality. Don’t string me along with more taunts. Post your proof, or we will just assume you have none. Actually, I don’t even need to assume…I know.

You don’t get to ask questions until you answer the one(s) put before you. I think you are being TEXTBOOK in your avoidance here.

The Last Trump

I know… that you know… EXACTLY what I’m talking about.
We can keep dancing around it for as loooong as you like.
Doesn’t change a darn thing about Christianity being completely incompatible with homosexuality. And all of the Christians know it.
And it DRIVES you crazy! 🙂

Ronald Carter

Just once I wish you’d say something factual and not something that’s your opinion that you WISH was factual. You’re not driving me crazy – I’m driving YOU crazy, because your messages spiral further and further into demented raging every time you post. That’s what happens when you’re challenged to prove something that you are unable to prove. Seriously, man, your hee-hee-ometer is through the roof with self-righteous crowing over something you’re clueless about.
There are gay Christians. So you lose THAT one, too.

The Last Trump

My hee-hee-ometer! Ha! I like it!
And, no, there are not. Incompatible Muffin. I really am sorry.
You’ll just have to find another religion that accepts perversion.
Maybe Islam? Good luck with that…

Ronald Carter

Don’t be sorry, Last Trump. There are gay-welcoming churches in the city I live in, so you’re demonstrably wrong. Something you apparently never tire of.

And if you are going to continue to call homosexuality perversion, then don’t be surprised when people call you out for hate, because that is precisely what it is.

The Last Trump

Apostate churches Muffin. Apostate. (Look it up)
The Bible warned us of their rise. And of their demise.
What a book! Check off yet ANOTHER accurately predicted prophecy.
Thanks be to God for authoring the Bible and repeatedly proving it with accurate and irrefutable fulfillments of His own predictions!
And YOU thought shepherds and goat herders wrote it!
Silly goose!

Ronald Carter

Apostate church = The One I Don’t Go To. Classic No True Scotsman fallacy. You seriously can’t do better?
Anything you don’t like in this life is something you can conveniently claim was one of those things the Bible “warned” you about. Just like Matthew 5:11 gets pulled out any time someone points out to you how off the mark you are. Yeah, what a book. Written by goat herders, exactly.

The Last Trump

“Rar, rar, rar! Christians! Rar! Arrrrrrgh!”
“Why do I keep getting banned and have to change profiles and Trumpy’s STILL here!? Ahhhhhhhhh!”
🙂

Ronald Carter

Haven’t been banned yet. If they decide to ban me someday we will assume they had a good excuse to do so, but I have no intention of giving them one. Haven’t changed profiles either. Your own paranoia to deal with. Nothing to do with me.

The Last Trump

Right.
Got it! 😉

Grace Kim Kwon

Women should dress up properly and pay attention to self-defense. Because women show excessive amount of skin, men do not protect women anymore but act like a woman regarding the society’s safety. Godless feminism’s dead end. The Word of God is vital for men to be manly and women to be womanly and children to be safe. Liberals are set to destruction of manhood, womanhood, and childhood among mankind. Jesus alone sets people free by the truth.

Get Breaking Christian News in Your Inbox!

Sign Me Up! Top Daily Top Weekly

Christian News Headlines

Keep your site fresh and your visitors coming back by featuring Christian News Network's top news stories on your site. Learn more →

Connect With Us:

Learn More

About Christian News Network

Christian News Network provides up-to-date news and information affecting the body of Christ worldwide from an uncompromising Biblical worldview. Our objective is to present the news with the word of God as our lens, and to bring to light what is hid in the darkness. Learn more →